Pakistan’s highly effective Army chief General Asim Munir stated on Monday that there is no such thing as a house for intolerance and extremism in Islam and society as he met members of the minority Christian neighborhood and lauded their companies for the welfare and defence of the nation.
His feedback assume significance within the backdrop of the “Jaranwala incident” the place a mob vandalised 22 church buildings and set scores of Christian homes on fireplace over allegations of blasphemy. There have been no casualties however it was one of the crucial harmful assaults on Christians within the Muslim-majority nation.
“Islam is a religion of peace and there is no space for intolerance and extremism in Islam and society. No one can be allowed to take law in his own hands in a civilised society,” Gen Munir said during an interaction with a 14-member Christian community delegation led by Dr Azad Marshall — Moderator and President Bishops (Church of Pakistan and Bishop of Raiwind) at General Headquarters, Rawalpindi.
The army said in a statement that during the meeting matters of mutual interest, religious and inter-faith harmony were discussed.
Gen Munir “lauded the contributions of the Pakistani Christian Community in nationwide improvement, together with promotion of high quality training, healthcare and philanthropic companies and the excellent function performed by them for the defence of the motherland.”
He also expressed deep respect for Christian community and stressed upon the need for promoting greater interfaith harmony in society in order to follow Pakistan’s founder M A Jinnah’s true vision of a united and progressive Pakistan.
The delegation acknowledged Pakistan Army’s efforts in combating terrorism and providing a secure environment to the minorities in the country, and appreciated the Army chief’s gesture as an inspiration for Pakistani minorities to take greater and more active part in nation building and in restoring their faith in a cohesive and tolerant society, according to the statement.
Authorities have so far restored nine churches out of 22 burnt down by the violent mob over blasphemy allegations.
According to the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan fact-finding mission’s report, at least 24 churches and several dozen smaller chapels as well as scores of houses were torched and looted in a series of brutal mob-led attacks against the Christian community on August 16 in Jaranwala town, a city in Punjab province, on allegations of blasphemy against a Christian man.
It said the mob attack on Christian worship places, their residences, and the cemetery was part of a “bigger hate marketing campaign towards native Christians” and questioned the open involvement of radical Islamists and the complicity of police within the incident.
Published On:
Sep 25, 2023
